Fortune telling game

ABSTRACT

A fortune telling game having an astrology board defining a plurality of zodiac stations containing horoscopic intelligence including indexing tokens bearing interrelated data and positionable over the zodiac stations. In accordance with the game instructions, certain of the tokens are removed from the zodiac stations to expose the written intelligence which is then subject to self interpretation in forecasting future events for amusement purposes and for giving personal advice and guidance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to a fortune telling device andespecially to a game having an astrology board containing horoscopicintelligence.

In particular, the fortune telling apparatus of this invention concernsthe use of indexing tokens in conjunction with an astrology board forlocating and interpreting astrologic readings.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Astrology is an ancient science which seeks to understand the planetaryforces and the influences they exert. Although previous devices havebeen developed concerning principles of astrology for determiningindividual horoscopes, these prior art astrological devices generallyinvolve the use of spinners, charts, or cards and frequently includecomplicated instructions and require rather detailed analysis forinterpretation.

Previously patented devices for foretelling future events which haveboards and accessory cards, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,106 or2,557,400, do not encompass the fortune telling concept as related toastrology. In contrast, the present invention places particularsignificance on the player's birth sign and incorporates this into theplaying procedure and also into the interpretative connotations that areapplied to the readings.

A disadvantage, therefore, of the prior art devices is that the playercan only assume that the placement of the cards and meanings to beapplied are dependent solely upon fortuitous circumstances, whereas thepresent invention affords one the opportunity to apply principles fromthe science of astrology. Although astrologic devices have been known,such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,822, these devicesgenerally employ selective plaques of astrologic intelligence and effectparticular readings with the use of rotary discs or spinners. Otherastrologic kits employ the use of cards and/or charts. A shortcoming ofthese types of astrologic devices is that one readily loses interest andfurther the interpretation of the message frequently becomes quiteinvolved and rather intricate.

The fortune telling game of this invention utilizes a board andassociated tokens or cards. The effect of shuffling the cards and theplacement thereof on the board adds to the excitement and generatesinterest, and thus provides a more enjoyable form of entertainment.Further, the instructions used are relatively uncomplicated and theplayers can readily add their own modifications to the rules of play.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The astrological game apparatus of this invention is intended forgeneral entertainment and amusement purposes as well as being applicablefor personal guidance and fortune telling. The apparatus includes anastrology board having zodiac stations containing horoscopicintelligence. Indexing tokens or accessory cards are adapted forcooperative use with the zodiac board and for compatible placement overzodiac stations. The accessory cards provide an indexing system fordetermining the selective removal of certain of the cards in accordancewith the instructions to thereby expose particular horoscopicintelligence on the board. The intelligence is in the form of key wordsand is used to form the basis for self interpreted messages. The wordsare read and given particular importance as in a prescribed mannerindicated and are further dependent on the zodiac sign under which theperson was born.

The representations appearing on the astrology board in the zodiacstations and on the indexing cards can thus be construed as a stimulusor influence in making personal decisions, in providing advice and foranticipating future events. The fortune telling game of this inventionwill thus enable the user to obtain a personal horoscope.

A feature of this invention is that no specialized knowledge in thefield of astrology or the need for involved instructional materials arerequired for utilizing the apparatus.

Another feature of this invention is the relative simplicity of the gameapparatus. Accordingly, use of the astrology board and the indexingcards can be readily acquired and will provide an interesting form ofentertainment.

Having thus summarized the invention, it will be seen that an objectthereof is to provide a fortune telling game apparatus of the generalcharacter described herein which is not subject to the disadvantages ofthe prior art.

Specifically, it is an object of the instant invention to provide afortune telling game apparatus having an astrology board and accessoryindexing cards.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fortune telling gameapparatus having zodiac stations containing written intelligence andproviding key words forming the basis for self interpretive messages.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this inventionwill be apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiment when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the possibleembodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1a is a plan view of the upper half of the astrology board of thisinvention and shows zodiac stations and horoscopic intelligencecontained therein with each of the stations being denoted by the name ofone of 12 zodiac signs except for two special stations being identifiedonly by a key word contained therein;

FIG. 1b is a plan view of the lower half of the astrology board of thisinvention and shows zodiac stations and horoscopic intelligencecontained therein with each of the stations being denoted by the name ofone of 12 zodiac signs except for two special zodiac stations beingidentified only by a key word contained therein; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view to a slightly enlarged scale showing typicallynine of the 64 indexing cards adaptable for placement on the zodiacstations and illustrating one of the 12 cards in each of the five seriesof cards with each series containing one of five key words; alsoincluded are four additional special cards containing only a key wordand no zodiac name and corresponding to the special zodiac stations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the fortune telling gameapparatus of this invention is comprised of an astrology board 12 and ofa plurality of indexing tokens or accessory indexing cards 14 forcooperative use with the board 12. As shown in the preferred embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the astrology board 12consists of a smooth planar surface having markings on one face thereofwhich define a plurality of uniform spaces or rectangular spots beingdesignated as zodiac stations 16. The board 12 is preferably fabricatedfrom a stiff paper, pasteboard, cardboard or like material, which hasbeen laminated as with a transparent plastic film to provide a durablesurface. A flexible hinge section (not shown) can also be providedpassing transversely through the board 12 so as to permit folding forcompact storage when not in use.

The zodiac stations 16, as shown, are arranged in a pattern having anequal number of eight columns and rows with equally sized and evenlyspaced boxes or rectangular spots thus defining the situs of the zodiacstations 16. A total of 64 stations will therefore be presented; itshould be understood, however, that the number of stations and theirarrangement can be modified within the scope of this invention.

The 12 known zodiac constellations or divisions, Aquarius, Pisces,Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius,and Capricorn, and their respective signs and symbols as well as thedates when the apparent path of the sun enters the imaginary celestialor planetary belt, form an integral part of the game apparatus, andinformation can therefore be denoted as on board 12, although not shownin the drawing, to serve as a birth date guide if the player does notknow his zodiac sign.

The pattern of rectangular spots as illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1bdelineate five distinct series of zodiac stations from right to left andtop to bottom on board 12. Each series of twelve stations is separatelydenoted by having a common primary key word.

The embodiment illustrated utilizes five primary key words: "Love,""Luck" or "Lucky Day," "Money," "Gift," and "Health." These words appearprominently displaced centrally within the various zodiac stations andappear in the largest type size letters used in printing of the messageintelligence. The twelve zodiac names, and alternatively correspondingzodiac signs and symbols associated with the particular names, appear ineach of the stations of the series. Further, the stations can be colortinted in a specific color designated for each of the 12 zodiac names.Between each of the five aforementioned series is a special zodiacstation 18 containing a primary key word, however this station bears nozodiac name, sign or symbol. Further indicia printed within the fiveseries of zodiac stations include horoscopic message intelligencedenoted as time intervals, such as days of the week, months, or years.

As shown on board 12, the first series of twelve zodiac stations containthe primary key word "Love." The second series of stations contain theword "Luck"; the word "Money" appears in the third series; the fourthseries has the word "Gift" therein; and the word "Health" is embodied inthe fifth series. It should be apparent that the appearance of each ofthe five key words occurs 12 times in the 60 stations. Since the specialzodiac stations each contain one of four of the primary key words,"Money," "Lucky Day," "Gift" and "Love", these four key words thusappear in an additional occurrence on the board. The key words werecarefully selected for the wide latitude of suggestive meaningsavailable for formulating messages in accordance with the gameinstructions.

A schedule of time periods such as days of the week are also placedwithin the aforementioned 60 zodiac stations. The present version of theboard shows the seven days of the week with one day each assigned toeach of the zodiac stations with the exception of the special zodiacstations 18. The date information thus provided is for the purpose ofproviding further significance to the message intelligence duringinterpretation thereof. In addition, 60 supplementary or secondary keywords are included, one each, in the 60 zodiac stations of the fiveseries, as is apparent in FIGS. 1a and 1b. These supplementary key wordswere also chosen because of their ability to complement or combine withand enhance the messages implied in the primary key words and thereforefurther lend direction and significance in interpretation of the messageintelligence.

While the astrology board 12 provides a source of message intelligence,the selection and determination of the order in which this intelligenceis to be read and interpreted is dependent on the indexing tokens oraccessory indexing cards 14 and the random manner in which the placementof these cards 14 fall on the various zodiac station 16. The indexingcards 14 have identifiying data for indicating or determining theselection of certain of the cards 14 for removal. The cards 14 furthercontain information interrelated to the interpretive meaning of themessage intelligence of the board 12.

The number of indexing cards 14 is equal to the number of stations 16and a total deck of 64 cards is therefore used in the presentembodiment. The indexing cards 14 are preferably rectangular in shapefor compatible positioning on the station locations and may befabricated from a stiff paper, pasteboard, cardboard or like materialcan be laminated with a transparent plastic film for providingdisability.

The deck of indexing cards 14 can be considered as comprised of multiplesets of 12 cards each with each of the 12 cards of a set being denotedby a distinct zodiac name and symbol on the card face. Additionally, thecards 14 may be color tinted using the same color as applied to thecorresponding zodiac stations. The reverse side of the indexing cardsbears no indicia. Further information in the form of a common primarykey word also appears on each card set. A special indexing card 20bearing no zodiac name or sign and corresponding to the special zodiacstation is also utilized to complete the deck of 64 cards.

FIG. 2 shows one card of each of the five sets and the four specialcards.

In operation, the deck of 64 cards is well mixed or shuffled and thenthe cards are laid out on the board face up from left to right and topto bottom in sequence with each card covering a zodiac station. Theplayer then determines from his birth date the particular zodiac nameassociated and then removes those five cards bearing his zodiac sign. Ifthe card bearing the player's zodiac sign has been placed on a zodiacstation bearing a matching zodiac sign, then in accordance with theinstructions the key word on the card and the primary and secondary keyword on the station should be used to form the basis for a selfinterpretive message when read along with the other intelligence foundin the other four zodiac stations. However, if the indexing card exposesa zodiac station having matching zodiac sign and key word, then this isgiven particular attention and priority in formulating a message.Additional message intelligence for consideration include the dayappearing in the zodiac station and its relation to the day of thereading as bearing on the accuracy of the message or it can otherwise beinterpreted into the reading. With regard to the special zodiacstations, these primary key words are considered the basis forinterpretation of the message when none of the cards fall oncorresponding zodiac signs or corresponding key words.

The game can be played by one person or a multiple number of people.Additionally, it can be used for daily readings as well as for amusementand entertainment purposes.

The above cited embodiment is intended as exemplary, and while it hasdescribed the invention with a specific implementation thereof, othermodifications and various changes might be made in the embodiment asabove set forth and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Itshould therefore be understood that all material described or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illusrative and not ina limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:
 1. A fortune telling board game apparatus for determining astrological readings based on the twelve zodiac signs, said game being suitable for amusement and entertainment purposes and comprising astrology board means for defining a uniform pattern of zodiac stations with each station bearing message intelligence, a plurality of accessory indexing cards, said cards being equal in number to the zodiac stations and adapted for compatible placement over each of the zodiac stations to conceal the message intelligence, selected indexing cards further containing identifying means for determining removal of cards from the board to expose message intelligence located on the respective zodiac stations, selected zodiac stations including identifying means, both identifying means being in the form of the twelve zodiac signs with the cards for removal bearing the zodiac sign corresponding to the player's astrological sign, said indexing cards further including information means conjunctive with the message intelligence and identifying means on those exposed zodiac stations for complemenatry intelligence conveyance to facilitate self interpretation in calculating readings of personal advice and guidance.
 2. A fortune telling board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including primary message intelligence within the zodiac stations, said primary intelligence being conjunctive with the information means on said indexing cards for formulating astrological readings.
 3. A fortune telling board game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the information means on the accessory indexing cards includes primary key words, said primary key words having identical correspondence to the primary message intelligence on the zodiac stations.
 4. A fortune telling board game apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further having secondary message intelligence within the selected zodiac stations, said secondary message intelligence being in the form of supplementary key words for furthering interpretation of the message intelligence and primary key words on the indexing cards.
 5. A fortune telling board game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the accessory indexing cards are color-keyed to matching color zodiac stations, said matching color zodiac stations further bearing the same zodiac sign and containing primary message intelligence having identical correspondence to the primary key word on the respective indexing cards. 